The Genealogical Hoax in the "Belfrey Family History"
The author of the "Belfry Family History" published in 1888 reported himself to be Peter De Guerre.In reality he was Peter DeGeer III (a.k.a. Peter Degeer/Degear III) the son and grandson of farmers of humble beginnings. He used his original family name for most of his life (i.e. from 1824 to 1888).He created "his" De Guerre family in 1888 ostensibly to match his genealogy to an aristocratic heritage that he also fabricated.
Descendents of Peter DeGuerre (nee Peter DeGeer III on Jan. 18, 1824, the son of Peter DeGeer II, b. Aug. 1, 1798 in NY, d. 1823 in Ontario, married Sarah "Sally" Dunham c1822) will find all of the birth and marriage registrations for Peter Degeer III's seven children in Ontario recorded with the original family name spelled either Degear or Degeer prior to 1888.
These same descendents can learn of their true origin, establish links with long lost DeGeer relatives and trace their ancestry back to Peter DeGeer I, b. c1772 in the former Province of New York, d, Nov. 1827 in Markham Twp., Ont., married Dec. 17, 1797 Maryte "Mary" Ostrander in Fonda NY and, ideally, earlier generations.